Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 98.5: Bonus Story: Battle for the Imperial Crown Part 5

A full week has passed since the news article that set the Empire on fire. Sundenelle has been in hiding as the Capital came grinding to a halt. Somehow, most of the tradesmen of the capital have also vanished, especially magic artisans and artificers. Those that remain are among the prisoners arrested for selling, buying, and talking about the rumors from the news article, which spread unusually quickly.

But, the revelation that Sundenelle is allegedly the only legitimate heir to the Emperor's bloodline is far from the only thing claimed in the article.

From the most reputable news source in the Imperial Capital, the declaration that the Grand Duke is the father to the Empress's children, the forgotten children of the Crown Prince, and the assassination of the second consort and her three daughters have taken the city by storm.

Coupled with fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters being arrested simply for talking about a news article, the Empress and her faction of nobles have been fielding complaints and protests all week, while the first son of the Senior Consort has rallied soldiers to hold the Capital to ransom unless Porfaus steps down.

Imperial soldiers marched into the Capital under the Grand Duke's orders, but he has repeatedly denied it, and it looks like war is inevitable as food stores rapidly decline within the Capital, with spoiling threatening to compound the issue even more quickly when the preservation magic devices begin failing.

Everything is collapsing quickly, and the funeral became a colossal embarrassment for the Empire and the Imperial Family.

Porfaus sits in the throne that feels heavier sitting upon it than all of the weight of the world. Everything is falling apart. His mother has been enraged, throwing a tantrum over the slightest things, while the Grand Duke is preparing for war against Porfaus's younger half-brother. Worse yet, if the news article is to be believed, it's still true that they are half-brothers, even if their father isn't the Emperor, and the Grand Duke is going to battle against the Third Prince.

Thermihk still hasn't been seen since he disappeared after allegedly poisoning Sundenelle's mother, and likely fearing assassination, the illegitimate princess has disappeared.

"Your Highness," speaks one of the Marquises in the audience chamber. "We need an answer. What is the truth of these claims?"

Porfaus sighs. "The Emperor's Will hasn't been seen by me. I have no way of verifying its authenticity. As such, we should continue onward, as I have been saying all week..."

"My contacts have confirmed that the signature presented in the article is, in fact, his Late Majesty's signature. If we can only see the original document..."

"Enough!" snaps Porfaus. It's been the same thing every day. The nobles are shorn almost completely in half; those fiercely loyal to the Emperor, and those who want to get the Empire back on track with Porfaus as its new emperor.

He hasn't been able to sleep since it all started.

"Your uncle is right outside of the capital, waging war against men and women who should be pledged to the crown!" exclaims another man. "Or, perhaps I should say, your father."

Porfaus bolts to his feet. He shouts, "The next person to mention that ridiculous news article will have their tongue pulled out!"

The room falls eerily silent. His blood is boiling, and the imperial guards are standing at the ready, with several standing between him and the nobles.

"Having trouble, Brother?" asks a woman's voice from above. The audience chamber has an upper audience seating, mostly intended for larger audiences with all of the nobles of the Empire, as well as guests from other nations. Lower nobles and high ranking merchants would typically fill out the upper seating, and it is accessed from an upper level floor of the palace.